The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Asclepias speciosa. Perennial. Invite monarch butterflies and other pollinators to your garden with the stunning blooms of this robust, shrub-like heirloom perennial. Also called Greek milkweed, this species is drought tolerant when established and grows best in well-drained soils. Plants have green to silvery-green foliage and stems that are often soft and fuzzy. In summer, pink to white flowers are followed by decorative, woolly seed pods that are beautiful in dried arrangements. Native throughout much of the western United States. By growing milkweed that is native to your region, you ensure that blooming will occur when most needed—at the time of migration in your area—providing fuel for these beautiful butterflies.[1][2]
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Needed | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly | Native to CA |
Planting Season
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | Soil temp 50-75°F | Well-drained soils | Drought tolerant; water sparingly after plant is established |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 12"–16" | 2'–4' tall on average but up to 6'; 18" wide |
- Additional instructions: Showy milkweed is a low toxicity milkweed compared to others, please still take precautions for pets, kids, and livestock. It is best to have multiple milkweed plants in the garden to attract and sustain monarch caterpillars. Deadheading flower clusters before pods set will prolong the flowering period and prevent reseeding. Avoid spraying plants with any pesticides that could harm or deter monarch butterflies.[2][3]
- Harvesting instructions:
Common Diseases and Pests
- Pests: aphids
- Disease:
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Showy-Milkweed-Butterfly-Flower-Seeds (seed source)
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Milkweed-Sow-and-Grow-Guide
- https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/milkweed-plant-seed-resources/asclepias-speciosa/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.